I thought I’d have a little giveaway to add some sunshine to the February blahs! The giveaway includes two of my wishlist/favorite things here… I’m sure you’ll guess by the end of the post which ones they are.
A clue; sorry, it’s not a Oprah-esque giveaway! 😉
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This post isn’t really sugar related, but I do have other things I love besides my sweet hobby; a few of which I’ll share with you:
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1. Anne Taintor Products
Her name is Anne Taintor and she runs a humorous business selling greeting cards, notepads, magnets, purses etc., which, to quote the words on her site, “…give voice to modern women’s secretly subversive thoughts.”
I just knew that when I found this charming Anne Taintor I Don’t Recall Asking notepad, it would be a perfect gift for my female colleagues studying Culinary Arts in Kingston this past summer. We definitely did enjoy some interesting, insolent humour together. (That’s Liz and Delia below):
They did get a kick out of their parting gift from me. (Notepad above). You can find Anne Taintor’s hilarious items on her site here or if you’re an Amazon fan, at my affiliate link here.
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2. Kindle
This one’s on the wish list. Ever since I used a Kindle (a wireless reading device), at a friend’s place over the Christmas holidays, I’ve been thinking of getting one. If you have one I’d love to hear what you think of it in the comment section.
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3. iPhone
The iPhone… Also don’t have one of these yet, but I’ve certainly looked at them longingly a few times. I’ve pledged not to get one until my old phone dies, but I’m really looking forward to that day.
You should see my phone. My students think it’s so old and retro that it’s ‘sick’. Here’s a pic:
Pretty battered huh?
I’m glad this pic is in my favorite things after all. This phone has lasted me a long time, and (my DH will laugh at this), it has great reception. Let me tell you, there’s been many a time that all the BlackBerries in the room didn’t get a signal and I did. It is analog-digital after all.
Ahem… on to another favorite thing. This one is a gadget as well – seems like I like a lot of them.
This one has helped me take better pictures this year.
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4. Canon Rebel Xsi Camera
The Canon Digital Rebel XSi is what I use. I’m still learning lots on how to use it, but even on the automatic settings it does a great job!
I really do dislike getting my picture taken – it rarely works out. So, only because I wanted to post a pic of the camera and needed a mirror to take a its snapshot, I’ve put a photo of me in here with it. (Okay, and because I actually paid some attention to my hair this day I was out with my friend. I was waiting in change room for her to try on some clothes and I had recently acquired the camera).
Anyways, on to the next item.
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5. MACRO LENS
With this Canon Macro Lens you can easily get great close-up shots; I used it to take this next photo:
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6. Cupcake Charm
Of course something sweet related had to sneak in here. I gave this cupcake charm to my friend Kim earlier this year… she’s a sweet-nut as well. I don’t have one yet but might just head over to Amazon to order one. They’re $17.99 (Guess you know now Kim. Actuuuually, really they were SO expensive when I went to buy one. They’re on sale now).
Ahem.
The next fave is, alright, another sweet related item.
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7. KopyKake Projector
Not a very pretty looking thing, is it?
It’s big, it’s awkward-looking, (although it doesn’t look quite as bad with the table clamp option), but I know I couldn’t have created many of the cookies I did this year without this Kopykake Projector . If you’re new to visiting Sweetopia, you can find some examples of cookies I made using the projector by clicking these links:
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8. My Winter Coat
What is there to say? I love it! I have to wear it every day in the climate I live in and never get tired of it. (I don’t think I look like her in it though!)
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9. EMU Australia Winter Boot
These boots keep me so snuggly warm! Enough said!
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10. Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes Book
I’d like to practice more of my cake skills in 2010 and am going to use this inspiring cake book by Martha Stewart and Wendy Kromer. Here’s a small sampling of what you’ll find inside:
Excuse the crooked images; I took actual pictures of my book.
Wendy Kromer, the creator behind many of Martha’s cakes, is coming to the Bonnie Gordon School in April. I’m so excited to be signed up for one of her classes and will keep you posted on that!
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Now that I’ve shared my current 10 favorite items, it’s time to have a giveaway for TWO of them!
Wish I could be like Oprah, but even though they aren’t a KopyKake Projector or a Kindle, they are FREE! (If you win!)
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Martha Stewart Wedding Cakes and Cupcake Charm Giveaway!
If you’d like the chance to win a copy of Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes & a Cupcake Charm Necklace, leave a comment below, maybe sharing one of your favorite things or whatever you’d like to write! CONTEST CLOSED
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- Another way to enter is to retweet this post on twitter. You can tweet as many times as you choose; they will be added to the draw! CONTEST CLOSED.
- The contest is international
- The draw will be held on Sunday, February 7th, at 7 pm EST
- I’ll be using www.random.org to draw the winning comment.
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Good luck!
xo,
Marian
Ashley says
I love your blog. I would love a Kindle, a Kopycake, and an I-Phone.(my phone is ancient too, hehe)And I would love to decorate cookies as well as you. Great job!
debbie says
Anything Martha does is fabulous and worth having and being inspired from!
Alex says
I found the Anne Taintor products in a cooking store last week and absolutely love them. In the same store I found the cutest cupcake jewellery boxes.
cookienurse says
I think the Kopycake would be a terrific luxury item; I would be happy with just the charm!
Terri says
Oh my, I love your top ten list! It’s creative, a bit of everything. I was just talking to my husband over dinner earlier how I should be looking/shopping for new clothes online. However, I find myself attached to barnes and borders ordering tons of books. I guess the fashion in me will have to be creative with my wardrobe. I’m just super happy I have books to read. The kindle is such a nifty way of storing books without having to worry about the weight of it in a bag or on hand.
carolyn says
baking and making others smile with my creations is my favorite thing!!
Nicole says
I have so greatly enjoyed learning about cookie decorating from your site. I did my first set this past weekend and they came out great. Thank you for all of the helpful tips and tutorials!
Erin R says
I love martha’s book. Whenever i’m at barnes and noble, and my boyfriend is taking too long oogling refrence books, i sit down and admire martha’s cakes. delicious and beautiful
Courtney P. says
Love your list! I have an iphone that I can’t live without and kindle that I love!! BUT I want to know what brand your winter coat is??? So lovely!!…as is your blog!!!
Lyndsay says
I love all things gingerbread men!
Josefin says
The cupcake charm is so cute! I love it <3
Tina says
Wooow! Your site is so cute 🙂 I love all the stuff!
Good luck.
Lise says
I LOVE reading your website. The cupcake charm is so darn cute. Thanks!
Amy G says
Wow what a great list of stuff! I would love any of them!
Jay says
I want one, I want one. I’m the local cupcake queen.
ShannonG says
Ummm… Some of my favorite things.. 1 is definiatly my new Family Cookbook.. I love it with all my family’s memories and stories.. The other is my newest cook book I am creating of all the wonderful recipes from various websites.. For example Pioneer Woman’s site!!
DeeAnn Haworth says
Just came across you site and I love it! Pick me, pick me….
Christine says
One of my favorite pocessions, is my kitchenaide mixer. It was the very first thing my husband ever gave me when we were dating. We had only been dating about a month and he knew I was saving up to buy myself one and one day he took me to lunch and surprised me with it in the car.
Christy says
What a fun and totally fantastic giveaway!! I absolutely LOVE your blog and have picked up so many wonderful tips and tricks from you. Thank you!
If I am the wonderful winning recipient could you please include your cute boots in with the cookbook? Size 7 would be great! 🙂 hee hee
Jennifer says
I love your blog and your giveaways – the cupcake charm is SO cute.
Linda says
@ linda:
One of my favorite things would be to actually win something when I enter a contest! I love everything about your website and visit often for inspiration.
Jenny Tan says
Glad to have found your blog through Cake on the Brain. If you ask my husband, he’d say I have such a LONG wishlist that it might take us across the country! ;P However, for now, the only thing I wish for is a new oven/stove…my oven hasn’t been working right since the past November — it takes at least an hour to get to 350F, and another 20 minutes or so to stay at the right temp! Chinese New Year is getting close, and there’s a lot of baking to do!!! Cross my fingers, I’ll get one SOON. 🙂
Kim says
I just want to win!
erika fortunado says
Love your blog…it’s so creative and inspiring.
I make cake for a living and on those blah days (we all get them sometimes), I take a peek at your page for a much needed pick me up.
I have long been thinking of getting a kopykake projector myself but its on a long want list which includes a new airbrush and an slr camera…so quite a long way…All i can do now is to dream of making beautiful cookies like yours someday. 🙂
Amanda says
OH MY GOSH I want to win this SOOO bad!! Wowsers. I LOVE that list!! I want everything on it. Except that coat. It wouldn’t fit over my thigh. But it sure is purty!
bridget {bake at 350} says
A. You are gorgeous!
B. Your wish list is MY wish list.
C. I would LOOOOVE a KopyKake projector and fancy camera like that!
D. LOVE Anne Taintor, too! One of my favorites is the one that says “I was never meant to work.” 🙂
Chef Panda says
I want everything thats on ur list! The kopykake projector is something I want. BADLY. and the kindle. and a professional camera. *sigh. I hope I win this giveaway! would be my first 🙂
Theresa says
Love your blog (& your wish list!). The cupcake charm is wonderful. thanks for a chance to win!
Threesidedorchid says
That cupcake charm is adorable!
mm… kindle. These days, my entire life is reading and baking, i’d better stay away from the kindle or I’d probably end up trying to read *while* baking, and the thing would end up covered in batter.
bridget {bake at 350} says
Tweeted… 🙂
Kristen says
I bought a 2010 Ann Taintor engagement calendar, and I don’t even write in it! I just look at the pictures and LMBO. She’s great! Also trying to figure out the Rebel…your close=ups are great!!
Kim says
I’m new to your blog but so impressed. You are the cookie master!
My daughter teaches great online photography classes if you are interested in taking one. She has a degree in photography and has done photos for national campaigns. You could quit shooting on auto. 🙂
Check out Jessicasprague.com for Candice’s class and others if you are interested. I think Candice’s next class may start in March.
Ashley says
I love all of your ideas! You’re so creative!
Gemma says
First of all sorry for my english 😛 I love your blog, I think it’s amazing. I would like to buy a kopycake projector but I don’t know if here in Spain it’s available, I think I’ll have to wait 😛
Jennifer Heckman says
Love your wishlist! The Kopykake and fancy camera is on mine as well!
BethieofVA says
Oh I love the cupcake charm(s)!!! Adorable!!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Both of these things would be so lovely! I would love to win!
Jodi says
That charm is sooo adorable!
Cameo says
I absolutley love the little cupcake charm! Too cute 😉
Sally Newton says
This is a great site. I just recently found it.
Adee says
I absolutely love my new beater blade attachment for the KitchenAid mixer. It’s like a regular beater blade but with a spatula attached so you don’t need to keep stopping the mixer & pushing down the buildup on the sides. Sounds silly, but really makes such a difference!
Although I’m sure that if I had the KopyKake, that would be my #1 fave!!
Amy Miller says
I can honestly say that your sweetopia site is one of my favorite things. I check in every 3 days or so and am always inspired. Your are detail oriented, stylish, innovative, creative…a real infectious love of all things beautiful and tasty. Thanks Marian! I think you are fantastico!!
T says
Hi! I just stumbled upon your website… Your creations are some of the cutest that I’ve ever seen! Looking forward to trying some of your recipes and decorating tips!!
Shauna says
I love your blog and I also would love to have a new camera. I just added that to my wishlist, but another Martha book and a cupcake charm would be wonderful!
Mandi says
Decorating cookies has been life long for me. My mom would bake dozens of sugar cookies for every holiday and make 3 recipes of royal icing (she had 8 children) and we would all gather at the huge kitchen table with our piping bags and tips and go to town. Decorating cookies was never ‘slap on some icing and dust with sprinkles’…well maybe for the very small children. It’s a tradition I carry on with my family and I’m so happy I found your site. I can perfect the art of cookie decoration with your help! I would Martha’s wedding cake book 🙂
Gina F says
Hi, Love all your sweet creations! Thanks for sharing….Gina f
Sarah says
I just now discovered your site through Bakerella. You guys are so inspiring!
PS I bought my 9 year old cousin that exact cupcake necklace for Christmas. Passing along the baking love to the younger generation!
Darlene says
Thanks for sharing your ideas and thanks for this giveaway!
N says
My favorite things are books especially dessert books. I also love decorating cookies. Love your creations!
cupcakery says
Oh man! If only the kindle were available in New Zealand…